Volvo has released the first teaser for its upcoming battery-electric people-mover, which was also been locked in a November 12 global debut.
Officially dubbed the 2024 Volvo EM90, the big new EV is expected to share the bulk of its DNA with the Zeekr 009 released in China in November, including its overall exterior design – as seen in spy shots last month.
Volvo will no doubt add its own flare to smaller details like the lighting signatures and grille treatment, but it’s clear the EM90’s overall silhouette and stature will be shared with its sister model from Zeekr. Both Volvo and Zeekr are owned by China’s Geely group.
The teaser takes the form of a CGI video clip previewing a living room-like environment, before the camera pans backwards and up through the glass roof, through which we can see a pair of plush captain’s chairs – each with their own armrests and storage consoles, and there’s even a travel desk in front of them.
It’s clear, therefore, that the Volvo EM90 won’t just be a run-of-the-mill people-mover like the top-selling Kia Carnival or its Hyundai Staria sister model, but rather an upmarket battery-electric alternative to the exorbitantly-priced and lavish Lexus LM.
The Zeekr 009-derived mechanicals should include huge 116kWh or 140kWh battery packs – depending on the variant – and a dual-motor powertrain good for up to 400kW/686Nm, resulting in a circa-4.6sec 0-100km/h acceleration time.
If the Chinese brand’s marketing guff is to be believed, the Zeekr and its upcoming Volvo twin should be good for more than 1000km of range from a single charge.
“The Volvo EM90 is our first ever fully electric premium MPV, and is designed for you to make the most of the time spent in the car, like a Scandinavian living room on the move,” Volvo said.
“The new EM90 doesn’t just allow you to travel from A to B – it creates room for your life.”
Stretching room shouldn’t be a problem in the EM90, given its sibling’s 5209mm length, 2024mm width, 1858mm height and 3205mm wheelbase, making it marginally bigger in every respect than the already-big Carnival.